Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - Mortals 2

aka - Jimmy Phillips & The Mortals 2

Had the pleasure of seeing them perform after a 10k race at a Vineyard/Winery - and they were the perfect band for the occasion.  Picture, if you will, a vineyard scene, grapes all around, including the aroma of the grapes, the sounds of bottles being uncorked, the clank of wine glasses performing a toast, the smells of awesome meals, including a vegetarian meal, a giant tent, picnic tables, and a band.  And The Mortals 2 were that band.

But, what type of band would you expect at such an event?  A country band?  Nah.  Kid Rock? Nah.  Maybe a heavy metal band?  Nah.  A classic rock band?  Maybe.

How about a 1960s/1970s folk rock three piece band?   Yep - that works perfectly!  And that is what The Mortals 2 provided.  A perfect blend of 1960s/70s folk-rock, complete with that almost-acoustic sound and the harmonies.  Two songs that stood out in my memory from the event were "Revolution 1" (that's the acoustic version from The White Album, not the loud electric version from the old Nike commercials) and "For What It's Worth".  The latter is that song everybody knows, but many forget the title and just call it "Stop children, what's the sound, everybody look what's going down".  Now, oddly, both of those songs are sort of revolutionary songs - but that doesn't mean Mortals 2 only played protest rock.  They covered the spectrum of classic 1960s/70s folk-rock - including a couple originals.

The band had tye-dye backdrops on the stage and a definite folk-rock look, complete with one member having a pony tail (and maybe the other two as well, but I couldn't tell from where I was standing).  If ever a band fit perfectly with an event - this was the time.  The music was much more than background music, but at the same time didn't overpower the actual event itself.  It was, just one, with it's surroundings.  If it wasn't there, something would be missing.

The band also mixed in some blues tunes, some SRV, and a little Santana, and some "classic rock", among other things.  More than just a folk-rock trio, that's for sure!  Like most trios, the band consisted of a 6-string, a bass, and a drum kit.  And vocals, and the vocals were spot on and relaxed - it all just fit together.  From my vantage point, it felt as though the band was deeply rooted in good old fashioned blues at their foundation, which is always a good thing.

They were one of those "friendly" bands, the kind that participates in the happenings around them, like picking specific songs for the grape stomp contest, commenting and joking with the audience, a little story-telling between songs, and just casual relaxed fun. 

A very talented band, that played some excellent renditions of some great songs, and I'm sure had even more in their repertoire than I got to see on that day.  Definitely the type of band I'd like to have when  sitting outside (or inside) with a cold one and kicking back, just wanting to enjoy some tunes.

The Mortals 2 are based in Southwest Michigan in the Kalamazoo/South Haven/Grand Rapids area - but also travel to gigs.  Look them up if in that region.